Norway Spruce
Picea abies · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer, Shade Tree, Timber Tree, Windbreak
Variety / Cultivar
None specified; standard species. Many cultivars exist such as 'Pendula' or 'Nidiformis'.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7. Highly cold-hardy but sensitive to high heat and humidity in southern climates.
About This Tree
A large, fast-growing evergreen conifer known for its pyramidal habit when young, becoming more pendulous and weeping with age. It features a strong central leader and branches that often droop toward the ground while small branchlets hang vertically.
Leaf Characteristics
Needles are short (0.5 to 1 inch), stiff, four-angled (square in cross-section), and sharp-pointed. They are attached singly to woody pegs called pulvini. Color is a deep green to yellowish-green.
Bark Characteristics
Young bark is reddish-brown and relatively smooth or thin-scaled. As it matures, it becomes grayish-brown with thick, flaky, or platelike scales as seen in the image.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe; widely naturalized in North America.
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen. New needle growth (candles) emerges in spring, followed by pollination. Cones ripen in autumn and may persist through winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred; moderately shade-tolerant when young. Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils but is adaptable to various conditions. Moderate water needs with low drought tolerance.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 40 to 60 feet in landscape settings, but can grow over 100 feet in the wild. Spread is usually 25 to 30 feet. Lifespan of 150 to 200+ years.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for windbreaks and screening due to density. It produces the largest cones of any spruce (up to 7 inches). Important for timber, musical instruments, and as a traditional Christmas tree.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides essential winter cover for birds and mammals. Crossbills and squirrels consume seeds from the cones. Serves as a host plant for various larvae and provides nesting sites for hawks and owls.